14 Foods That Cleanse the Liver

Modern society is a sad state that produces many over-processed livers. When we overeat or eat processed or fried foods, and, anytime we are exposed to environmental pollutants or stress, the liver becomes overworked and overloaded. When the liver is taxed, it can’t process toxins and fat in an efficient way. There are many foods that can help cleanse the liver naturally by stimulating its natural ability to clean toxic waste from the body.

14 Foods that Cleanse the LiverVideo Length: 5 minutes

In the past, I have discussed my favorite cleansing foods. This list is a little more specific and focuses mainly on foods that can help cleanse your liver. In addition to taking a liver-cleansing supplement, and performing at least two liver and gallbladder cleanses per year, eating the following foods is the best way to keep your liver healthy and functioning the way you need it to. I would encourage you to incorporate these liver cleanse foods into your weekly diet.

1. Garlic

Just a small amount of this pungent white bulb has the ability to activate liver enzymes that help your body flush out toxins. Garlic also holds high amounts of allicin and selenium, two natural compounds that aid in liver cleansing.

2. Grapefruit

High in both vitamin C and antioxidants, grapefruit increases the natural cleansing processes of the liver. A small glass of freshly-squeezed grapefruit juice will help boost production of the liver detoxification enzymes that help flush out carcinogens and other toxins.

3. Beets and Carrots

Both are extremely high in plant-flavonoids and beta-carotene; eating beets and carrots can help stimulate and improve overall liver function.

4. Green Tea

This liver-loving beverage is full of plant antioxidants known as catechins, a compound known to assist liver function. Green tea is not only delicious, it’s also a great way to improve your overall diet. Learn more about the benefits of green tea.

5. Leafy Green Vegetables

One of our most powerful allies in cleansing the liver, leafy greens can be eaten raw, cooked, or juiced. Extremely high in plant chlorophylls, greens suck up environmental toxins from the blood stream. With their distinct ability to neutralize heavy metals, chemicals and pesticides, these cleansing foods offer a powerful protective mechanism for the liver.

Try incorporating leafy greens such as bitter gourd, arugula, dandelion greens, spinach, mustard greens, and chicory into your diet. This will help increase the creation and flow of bile, the substance that removes waste from the organs and blood.

6. Avocados

This nutrient-dense super-food helps the body produce glutathione, a compound that is necessary for the liver to cleanse harmful toxins.

7. Apples

High in pectin, apples hold the chemical constituents necessary for the body to cleanse and release toxins from the digestive tract. This, in turn, makes it easier for the liver to handle the toxic load during the cleansing process.

8. Olive Oil

Cold-pressed organic oils such as olive, hemp and flax-seed are great for the liver, when used in moderation. They help the body by providing a lipid base that can suck up harmful toxins in the body. In this way, it takes some of the burden off the liver in terms of the toxic overload many of us suffer from.

9. Alternative Grains

It’s not only that you need alternative grains like quinoa, millet, and buckwheat in your diet, it’s that if you’ve got wheat, flour, or other whole grains in your diet, it’s time to make changes. Your liver is your body’s filter for toxins, and grains that contain gluten are full of them. A study last year found that persons who experienced gluten sensitivities also had abnormal liver enzyme test results, and that’s just one of many.

10. Cruciferous Vegetables

Eating broccoli and cauliflower will increase the amount of glucosinolate in your system, adding to enzyme production in the liver. These natural enzymes help flush out carcinogens, and other toxins, out of our body which may significantly lower risks associated with cancer.

11. Lemons & Limes

These citrus fruits contain very high amounts of vitamin C, which aids the body in synthesizing toxic materials into substances that can be absorbed by water. Drinking freshly-squeezed lemon or lime juice in the morning helps stimulate the liver.

12. Walnuts

Holding high amounts of the amino acid arginine, walnuts aid the liver in detoxifying ammonia. Walnuts are also high in glutathione and omega-3 fatty acids, which support normal liver cleansing actions. Make sure you chew the nuts well (until they are liquefied) before swallowing.

13. Cabbage

Much like broccoli and cauliflower, eating cabbage helps stimulate the activation of two crucial liver detoxifying enzymes that help flush out toxins. Try eating more kimchi, coleslaw, cabbage soup and sauerkraut.

14. Turmeric

The liver’s favorite spice. Try adding some of this detoxifying goodness into your next lentil stew or veggie dish for an instant liver pick-me-up. Turmeric helps boost liver detox, by assisting enzymes that actively flush out dietary carcinogens.

Tips For Doing a Liver Cleanse

Other liver cleanse foods not listed above include artichoke, asparagus, kale, and brussel sprouts. Eating the foods listed above is a great way to help keep your liver functioning properly. However, for best results, I recommend performing a liver cleanse. Performing a liver cleanse at least twice a year will eliminate any foreign substances that may be trapped in your liver.

Dr. Group has studied natural healing methods for over 20 years and now teaches individuals and practitioners all around the world. He no longer sees patients but solely concentrates on spreading the word of health and wellness to the global community. Under his leadership, Global Healing Center, Inc. has earned recognition as one of the largest alternative, natural and organic health resources on the Internet.

can you give me idea about controlling drug induced hepatotoxicity through any food or plants

Gabe

Joysy, first, clean up your diet and remove things that could put stress on the liver, Then you can do coffee enemas. Timely nourishing and cleansing is critical. Nourishing is best during the day, while cleansing should be done in the evening. Love your liver.

A vegetable juice fast cured my 15 year battle with acne.
Funny the juice that I drank contained most of these vegetables/fruit.
It does work.
I think when you have skin problems your body is trying to tell you that something wrong is going on with your internal organs.
I now no longer put anything on my face. I just wash it an leave it.
My skin has never looked better.
Once a year I do the fast again.
My drink consists of : carrots ,celery , cucumber, beets , apples, grapefruit, spinach.

Dr. Group, you say that grapefruit increases the natural cleansing processes of the liver. I just learned by Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD in holistic nutrition and a master’s degree in nutrition education, that grapefruit and grapefruit juice contain a compound called
naringen that can interfere with the liver-cleansing process. I her detox program she advises to avoid this fruit when in the process of liver cleansing. Now, you recommend we do the exact opposite! It’s really confusing and hard to decide on whom to believe these days. The information is so broad and diversified, and at the same time so contradictory!

Denise Hanson

My brother Allan is admitted in the hospital. We got him milk thistle and tumeric root extract vitamins. Doctor said he couldn’t take them. He has liver damage from alcohol. I even wanted to put him in acupuncture or acupressure. I have a meeting with my brothers doctor tomorrow. Would it be harmful.

http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/ Global Healing Center

Naringin can interfere with prescriptions… what does she have to say about it interfering with liver cleansing?

Cath

What do I do if I have primary biliary cirrhosis? Is liver cleansing going to make my symptoms worse?

http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/ Global Healing Center

Hard to say, your situation is a complex one with a lot of variables — causes, nutrition, related health, etc etc. You’d probably be best served by getting some one-on-one evaluation from a naturopath and dietician in your area who can give you a much more complete analysis of your total picture and needs.

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